A major update has been announced for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), a central government scheme aimed at providing housing for all. Beneficiaries will soon be able to apply for a new house directly from their mobile phones, eliminating the need for a complicated offline process. This information comes from a Dainik Jagran newspaper report dated November 7, 2024.
Online Applications Begin for PMAY
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is a nationwide scheme from the Modi government, meaning it is available to citizens across the entire country. The move to an online application system marks a significant change, making the process much more accessible for those in need of a permanent (pakka) house.
In other news, the Government of India has also launched a new scheme called the Pradhan Mantri Vidyalakshmi Yojana, following a late-night cabinet decision and announcement.
The End of Offline Application Hassles
Previously, applying for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was a complex, offline procedure. Applicants had to obtain a form from a government office or a CSC center. After filling it out, the form had to be submitted either in person at the district or block level to officials like the Gram Vikas Adhikari (Village Development Officer) or through a village head (Sarpanch/Gram Pradhan/Mukhiya). This entire cumbersome process has now been eliminated.
How to Apply Through the New Mobile App
The Government of India has decided to create a dedicated mobile application to facilitate online applications for the housing scheme. This will allow individuals to apply for a pakka house and upload their necessary documents directly from their mobile phones. The app is expected to be launched very soon. As soon as the application is live and online submissions begin, a step-by-step guide on how to fill out the form will be provided.
Financial Assistance and Scheme History
Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive ₹1,20,000 to build a house. This amount is disbursed in three separate installments.
The current phase of the scheme is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 3.0, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2019. The housing initiative itself has a longer history. It was first launched in 1985 as the Indira Awas Yojana. In 2014, the scheme was restructured and renamed the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
The Verification Process
Although the application process is moving online, a verification step will remain in place to ensure that only eligible applicants receive the benefit. After an online application is submitted, the data is sent to the district level.
A team of officials will then conduct a physical survey or verification at the applicant’s address. This survey is crucial to confirm that the applicant is genuinely in need of a house (e.g., living in a hut or temporary shelter) and to prevent ineligible individuals who already own a permanent house from misusing the scheme.
Once the survey is complete and an applicant is found to be eligible, their name is added to an official beneficiary list. Following this, the first installment of the financial assistance is transferred directly to their bank account.
